Cosatu boss Zwelinzima Vavi. Photo: Bongiwe Mchunu Cosatu boss Zwelinzima Vavi. Photo: Bongiwe Mchunu
Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has called on President Jacob Zuma to take “stern action” against national police chief Bheki Cele and Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde over the controversial R500 million lease for new SAPS headquarters.
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report, released last week, described as unlawful actions by both departments in procuring the Sanlam Middestad building in Pretoria.
She found the lease agreement was “fatally flawed” and the contract “invalid”.
Madonsela said Mahlangu-Nkabinde had approved the deal in spite of the opinions of two senior counsel that the deal was unlawful.
“The (lease) must be reviewed and the people must face the consequences,” said Vavi.
He said that even more so than Cele, the minister should say why she ignored legal advice.
“Stern action must be taken by the president and the cabinet if we are to believe (Zuma’s) message during the State of the Nation address about ensuring a clean government … and … that (cabinet ministers) are men and women of their word,” he said.
Mahlangu-Nkabinde should answer not only to the cabinet but also to the public, said Vavi. Cosatu was waiting in anticipation to see if the cabinet would act as the public protector recommended.
Mahlangu-Nkabinde has yet to respond to Madonsela’s findings.
Ministry spokesman Obakeng Modikoe has not responded to e-mails, SMSes or phone calls since the report was released on Tuesday.
Department spokesman Lucky Mochalibane said last week that the department would not comment until it had studied the report.
He did not answer his phone on Sunday.
The report condemned Mahlangu-Nkabinde’s decision to approve the deal with property mogul and long-standing friend of Zuma, Roux Shabangu, after her predecessor, Geoff Doidge, put the deal on ice.
Doidge was axed in Zuma’s shuffle in October and is said to be destined to be named ambassador to Sri Lanka. - Political Bureau